Where is George Best from? Remembering the Manchester United legend

Where is George Best from? This question takes us to the heart of the story of one of football's greatest talents. His path from the local fields of East Belfast to becoming a football legend is a remarkable one. Playing mainly for Manchester United, he wowed fans around the world with his amazing skills.

George Best's legacy extends beyond his breathtaking skills on the pitch, etching itself into the hearts of fans worldwide. Let us delve into the life and legacy of this Manchester United legend, exploring every facet from his origins to his remarkable career and beyond.

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Where is George Best from?

Born on May 22, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, George Best's football journey began on the humble streets of East Belfast. His early years in the Cregagh estate laid the foundation for what was to become a storied football career.

Joining Manchester United as a teenager, Best quickly rose to fame with his extraordinary skills. He was a winger by trade, known for his incredible dribbling ability, and he spent most of his club career at Manchester United.

George Best's cause of death

Sadly, George Best's life was plagued with his lifestyle, which contributed to his untimely death on November 25, 2005, at the age of 59. He passed away due to complications from the immunosuppressive treatments necessary after a liver transplant, worsened by his prolonged struggle with alcohol.

His battle with alcoholism led to multiple health and legal issues, including a three-month jail term in 1984 for drunk driving and assault. Despite undergoing a liver transplant in 2002, Best's alcohol dependency continued, further impacting his health.

In 2005, his condition deteriorated significantly, leading to his hospitalization and eventual death from a lung infection and multiple organ failure. His public struggle with alcoholism and its consequences highlighted the tragic impact of this addiction.

George Best's quotes

Best was known for his wit and charm, often reflected in his quotes. One of his most famous sayings, "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered," encapsulates his playful and carefree attitude towards life.

Quotes about George Best

Best was also praised by peers and sports journalists, with one notable quote by Joe Mercer stating, "It seems impossible to hurt him. All manner of men have tried to intimidate him. Best merely glides along, riding tackles and brushing giants aside like leaves."

George Best's stats

Throughout his career, Best's stats were impressive, making 470 appearances and scoring 179 goals for Manchester United. He scored 136 goals in 361 league appearances, showcasing his prowess as a forward. In international football, he represented Northern Ireland between 1964 and 1977.

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George Best proudly earned 37 caps and scored nine goals under Northern Ireland. Among these goals, he notably scored four times against Cyprus and once each against Albania, England, Scotland, Switzerland, and Turkey. In his native Northern Ireland, the admiration for him is summed up by the local saying: "Maradona good; Pelé better; George Best."

George Best's trophies

George Best's trophy cabinet includes two Football League First Division titles (1964-65, 1966-67) and a European Cup (1967-68) with Manchester United, among others. His extraordinary talent on the field also earned him the prestigious title of European Footballer of the Year in 1968, and he was a top-five finalist in the FIFA Player of the Century awards.

Best's unique playing style led to his inclusion in the shortlist of six for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Century in 1999. Further cementing his legacy, Best was honoured as one of the first inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

George Best's position

Predominantly playing as a winger, Best was also versatile enough to be an attacking midfielder, known for his ability to manoeuvre the ball with unparalleled skill. Renowned for his masterful dribbling skills, he is hailed as one of history's finest footballers.

At Manchester United, George Best famously wore the number 7 jersey, a number that has since become iconic at the club, worn by other greats in his wake. Apart from Manchester United, Best played for various clubs worldwide, including stints in the United States, South Africa, and Australia, among others.

While assists were not as meticulously recorded during Best's era as they are today, his playmaking abilities were unquestionable, often setting up goals with his precise passing. Best played alongside other Manchester United legends like Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, forming a formidable partnership that brought success to the club, including their first European Cup win.

At what age did George Best retire?

George Best retired from top-level football at the age of 37, although his career had started to wind down earlier due to various issues. George Best's life was so captivating that it was chronicled in the movie "Best" released in 2000, with John Lynch portraying him.

A song about George Best

His legacy in popular culture includes "Belfast Boy" by Don Fardon, a song celebrating his footballing prowess. Furthermore, several biographies detail Best's life and career, including "Bestie" and "Blessed," offering insights into the life of this extraordinary footballer.

Who was George Best's wife?

George Best was married twice. He was first married to Angie Best and then to Alex Pursey, with his personal life often attracting as much attention as his professional career.

George Best met Angie at a dinner party in Los Angeles in 1975 when he was signing to play for the Los Angeles Aztecs. Their relationship was described as "love at first sight." They moved to London in 1976, and when Angie returned to Los Angeles, George followed her and persuaded her to marry him.

They got married on January 24, 1978. The couple had a son, Calum, in 1981, but they separated the following year and eventually divorced in 1986. The reasons for their divorce included Best's continual alcoholism and domestic violence.

In between his two marriages, George Best was in a relationship with Mary Shatila. Their relationship lasted between 1987 and December 1994.

Regarding his marriage to Alex Best, they got married on July 24, 1995, at the Chelsea Registry Office in London. However, George failed to turn up to the original wedding as he was out drinking, and the ceremony then took place a week later. They divorced in 2004.

"Where is George Best from?" leads us to the origins of a football legend whose legacy transcends time and place. From the streets of Belfast to the heights of international fame, George Best's journey remains an enduring tale of extraordinary talent and human vulnerability.

Sports Brief published an article about the top ten most famous Manchester United legends of all time. In this list, we will not focus on who is famous or most marketable.

Instead, these are individuals whose personalities and actions on and off the pitch made them figures to talk about in terms of transcending statistics and even Golden Boot awards. Click the above link to read more!

Name	George Best
Age at death	59 years old
Birth date	May 22, 1946
Date of death	November 25, 2005
Zodiac sign	Gemini
Birthplace	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Primary club	Manchester United
Position	Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Youth club	Cregagh Boys Club
Senior career start	1963
Manchester United appearances	470
Manchester United goals	179
National team	Northern Ireland
National caps	37
National goals	9
Marriages	Angie Best, Alex Best
Notable achievement	European Footballer of the Year 1968